Oh, how I miss my blog. For the first time since I have started this venture, I have gone a week without posting. The intention is there, but life has other plans at the moment. Between my teaching schedule, spending quality time with my family and enjoying the long summer days, my blog has taken a backseat. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t on my mind…all the time. The other night when we prepared these amazing tacos for dinner, all I wanted to do was snag a plate and take some pictures. But I thought it might be rude to interrupt our family dinner (which we were enjoying with our friends and neighbors). Or a few nights before that, when I whipped up a version of these delicious treats. I was doing my best to snap a pic in the midst of chasing Harper around the kitchen…but the ice cream melted before I was able to get the perfect shot. Which meant I had to enjoy the rest of it right on the spot…boy was it good!
So, it is times like these that make me even more grateful for this wonderful link party. With 66 link ups from last week, there is more than enough CSA inspiration to go around. Especially for those of you who seem to be stumped by your beets. The choices are endless! Beet Ice Cream, Beet Salad, Beet Ravioli…and the list goes on and on :) Thank you to everyone who continues to participate week after week. I can’t get enough of your yummy treats.
This week’s box is overflowing with goodies…
Summer sweet corn. Is there anything better? Not that I am the expert on corn, but this corn might just be the best I have ever tasted. Our last batch was gone in seconds. A quick 3 minute boil and they were good to go. They are delicious when eaten plain, but lately we have been into preparing them Mexican Style. If you haven’t tried, you need too. Super sinful :)
As much as I love my broccoli steamed with a little bit of butter, salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon, I am starting to feel a bit vanilla. I am so predictable when it comes to broccoli, but I can’t help it. It tastes great and is a perfect side to any meal. Plus, Harper is now a huge fan of it also. Except instead of calling it broccoli, she says “gocki”. It’s pretty darn cute.
I am super stoked about those pluots. They are different from the ones I got before. That is what is cool about hybrids. There is so many variations of them. These happen to be my favorite kind. Which means no crumble this week. Just a delicious, juicy snack. And I am sure those gigantic peaches will have the same fate. There is nothing yummier than fresh summer fruit!
And what is funny about my love affair with fruit, is that blackberries are not included. I have fond memories of picking and eating them fresh off the bush when I was at camp, but nowadays, I can’t get past all the seeds. They disrupt my flow of enjoyment. But that doesn’t mean I can’t find a dish to make that would incorporate them. The question is, sweet or savory?
I have recently become obsessed with shepherd’s pie. Wrong time of year for this comfort food, but it sure is hitting the spot. So these potatoes and rosemary will come in handy to satisfy my craving. And then I can throw some of my garden potatoes into the mix as well (since the few we have harvested aren’t quite enough for a whole meal).
This is my first time getting patty pan squash but I have seen some great recipes posted to the link party lately. Here is one from last week that looks absolutely scrumptious! I can’t wait to give it a try :) And a green salad would will be a nice addition to round out the meal. Throw in some chopped celery and grated carrots (from last week) and we are set!
Your turn: What are some of your favorite ways to use the fruits and veggies shown? Any special recipe, tips or tricks you’d like to share? Looking forward to reading your responses :)
Linking up for the first time? Click here for more info…and Welcome! PS: Don’t forget to tell your readers about the party by linking back to this post. Thanks!
you are making my mouth water! For the 3rd time this spring we have no CSA due to heat killing the plants. :( I will have to enjoy thru blogs. :D
What a bummer! Sorry to hear that. I will make sure to save a few bites for you :)
If you can get ahold of another box of berries, a small batch of blackberry jam (strained to remove the seeds) might be the way to go. good concentrated flavor without the seeds. I haven’t found a good source for them up here so I haven’t made it, but I’m hoping to find some this year to do a microbatch.
Delish! I have never made jam before…is it hard?
Very easy, and not time consuming– I can cook/can a small batch during Sam’s nap.
Cool! I’m game :)
and do you ever roast your broccoli? that makes an excellent side dish– it comes out so sweet.
Love roasting broccoli…but sometimes steaming it trumps any ideas I have to roast it :)
The flavor of blackberries is so delicious, but I know what you mean about the seeds. Sometimes they are way too seedy and it definitely detracts from the flavor. If I get a batch of overly seedy ones I cook them with a bit of sugar, strain them, and serve my “syrup” over buckwheat pancakes. Yum!
If you’re craving shepherd’s pie, I created a recipe for that which I really love and posted it on my blog–check it out if you’d like. I added in steamed cauliflower to the potato topping, but you could use the recipe as a starting off point for your own creation.
Mmmm…thanks for all of the delicious ideas! I LOVE pancakes and the syrup sounds perfect :) Can’t wait to check out your shepherd’s pie recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Going with my pizza theme from a few weeks ago … I’ve been eyeing this blackberry, goat cheese, fennel pizza for awhile. A savory option to consider: http://scalingbackblog.com/post/21222959866/food-matters-project-blackberry-fennel-pizza
This sounds incredibly divine! Thanks for sharing :) I’m now drooling all over my computer…
Now that’s a great box! Thanks for posting!
Thanks Lucy :)
Just linked in my Cauliflower Tabouleh. And don’t worry about slower posting when busy–happens to all!
Yay! Thanks for the encouragement :)
Also–wanted to let you know that I just gave you the “Addictive Blogger” award for luring me in to your fun and tasty posts. For more info see: http://artofnaturalliving.com/2012/07/19/chicken-piccata-gift-bags-and-an-award/
Thanks Inger :) I am honored! Can’t wait to check it out…
I was starting to worry about you and send out a Blogger Search Party. :) Glad to see you are back. p.s. pan squash (LOL ps) are great!
Thanks Sharlea :) Nice to know I was missed!
Yay, more beet ideas! Check out my beet gazpacho in your link party.
Beet gazpacho? What a great idea! Thanks for sharing :)
[...] to decide to do with squash and eggplant, besides ratatouille. Off to look at the linky party at In Her Chucks. There is a huge source of recipes and info from dozens of people who receive CSAs, every week the [...]
[...] to Real Food Wednesday, Whole Foods Wednesday, Allergy-Free Wednesday, Gluten-Free Wednesday, What’s in the Box? Share this:TwitterFacebookPinterestEmailPrintLike this:Like9 bloggers like [...]
Hi! I made Blackberry Port Jam this summer (haven’t posted yet) and it was great. Its got a bit of a kick and works well on top of savory dishes, like pork roast.
It looks like you might not have enough blackberries there, but you could add some blueberries!
Wow! That sounds amazing :) Looking forward to your post…
[...] adding this post to the marvelous round-up of CSA posts spearheaded by In Her Chucks. I remember back when I started in 2007 that CSA blogs were few and [...]
I am totally with you on the combination of missing being more involved with my blog & simultaneously feeling joy at how full my life is with wonderful people and events. Your box photograph is stunning, as usual; I want to try to do something similar but I cannot, no matter how I arrange them, get everything to show in one view of the box. (I suck at tetris, too. :) )
My very favoritest summer squash recipe is Pan-Seared Summer Squash with Garlic & Mint: http://inmybox.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/review-of-fresh-food-fast-by-peter-berley/ It is unbelievably delicious. It needs mint, of course, and I know I sometimes I balk at recipes that call for fresh herbs I don’t already have. I am lucky to have a wee tiny patch of mint growing on my back step!
As for corn, I’ve been meaning to post about it, but I’ve gotten so behind that now corn season is ending! I’ve discovered roasting corn, I can’t believe I didn’t know about it before. Just stick it in the oven with the husk still on at 450 for 15 minutes or so. When it’s done, the husk and silk will slide right off with ease, which is a huge bonus. The flavor is a little more concentrated than steamed corn, but mostly I’m into it because it requires several fewer steps than steaming. (I tend not to boil my veggies because of the water-soluble vitamins that get pulled out of the food and into the water, blah blah etc.)
Thanks for all of the AWESOME ideas! Considering I LOVE all other veggies roasted, I am sure the corn will be delish :) Looking forward to trying it.
[...] be linking this post with this week’s link party at inherchucks … you should check it out and add your recipes too! Happy weekend! Like [...]
[...] has become my wont, I’ve been taking part in the CSA link party hosted by In Her Chucks. I lurve it. Tons of great ideas every week on what to do with your CSA [...]
[...] note about CSA posts: I’ve been participating in a CSA link round-up at In Her Chucks blog. It’s been fun to see what everyone does with their veggies! Check it out. Like [...]
[...] things first – I’m joining the “What’s In the Box” linky party over at In Her Chucks. If you’re looking for a new recipe to try, you [...]
I want to try the CSA link party… Can I only link up on Wednesdays? I just had a post-less week as well, and I felt guilty about it. Your blog is so amazing and inspiring and sometimes life just gets busy. You deserve some time to reflect and relax and just be. Love your blog! Welcome back!
Great! Would love to have you :) The party is open all week…from Thursday to Wednesday. Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate your encouragement!
http://creativemetaphor.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/csa-week-5/ Checking in a day late but haven’t forgotten! Your squash and potatoes there are making me drool ;)
Thanks for linking up!
All linked up, and still jealous of your pluots! :)
Thanks Mason. They were pretty delish!
[...] is all the rage in the CSA lovers’ world (as you can see from this link party). Two weeks ago, I got some kohlrabi in my share, so I opted to try my first pickling [...]
Shepherd’s pie is def one my husband’s faves! Actually plan on making it soon. Blackberries always remind me of my grandparents who had several trees in their backyard, which is rare in NYC. You can try the Skinny PB&J Pancake (http://laurenlikestocook.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/skinny-pbj-pancakes/ for them) :). As for broccoli, my favorite cooked version is sauteed with garlic/oil/red pepper flakes, although I’m not sure if your baby can handle spicy.
Those pancakes sound delicious! Thanks for sharing :)
[...] is a blog party specifically about what is in your CSA box! So I’m going to link this to What’s In the Box! Share this:EmailPrintFacebookTwitterLike this:Like3 bloggers like [...]
Thank you so much for the invitation to join all of these amazing recipes! What a great collection of produce recipes! I added my Raw Corn Salad. Not that I need a way to use up corn but I wanted to try something special since I can only get corn this good for a little window every year! http://theravegan.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/raw-veggies-corn-salad/
Thanks for participating! Great to have you :)
Hopefully I did this right! I added my recipe for Swiss Chard Pesto to the collection and here’s my link: http://thekitchencreative.com/2012/07/23/swiss-chard-pesto-pasta-with-grilled-vegetables/ I’m super excited to participate. Thanks for the invite!
Thanks for participating! Can’t wait to try that pesto :)
[...] ago, I had never heard of a galette, so I had no idea what I had been missing. I was browsing In Her Chuck’s CSA link party for the week (thanks again – I love checking out all the links!), clicked on a couple things, [...]
My CSA teasers keep telling me I might get patty pan squash and no luck as of yet! I’m super jealous of yours, and that entire basket. Yum yum.
Thanks Kelsey! What is your favorite way to prepare patty pan?
I’ve always liked it sliced fairly thin on a mandolin and sauteed with some olive oil and parmesan, but I think I’m going to stuff the two I (finally!) got this week.
Cool…thanks for the tip…now all I need is a mandolin. Any specific one you recommend?
Finally linked up! (at least I hope so…) Jealous of all those goodies!
Thanks for participating! Glad to have you :)
[...] about what other folks are getting in their CSA boxes this time of year? Check out the What’s in the Box? link party for this week! Spread the love!DiggFacebookRedditStumbleUponTumblrTwitterLike this:LikeBe the [...]
[...] last CSA box, and she invited me to her link party! Think you have some great recipes to share? Visit her page and add a link/picture (direction are at the bottom of her post), it’s fun to see what [...]
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